Missing women in Hunua Ranges found safe and uninjured

The two women missing in Auckland’s Hunua Ranges have been located safe, well and uninjured.

The pair, 27-year-old Mikayla Taiapo and 29-year-old Ngahuia (Huia) Flavell, were last seen around 11am on Saturday. They planned to go for a walk in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park.

The women were found by two local men who decided to go searching for Taiapo and Flavell when they heard they were missing.

Inspector Joe Hunter, Area Commander for Counties Manukau South, said the men were armed with local knowledge.

The women were found 10km northeast from the starting point of their tramp.

Family members of the two missing women in the Hunua Ranges had earlier posted to social media saying the pair had made contact.

Several family members had posted to Facebook saying “they have been in contact with family”.

The messages were a relief for many friends and family of the women who said they were “glad to hear”.

Over the past 24 hours it’s believed they most likely walked between 20 and 30km through dense bush.

Their vehicle, a Ford Ranger, was found earlier on Sunday on Moumoukai Rd in Hunua.

A witness at the regional park told the Herald family members were on the ground and had earlier planned to stay throughout the night.

Taiapo and Flavell were flown out by the police Eagle helicopter.

Police said they would like to thank the community for providing information and support.

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